Each year, autumn arrives in a whirlwind of oversized sweaters, kitschy Halloween decorations and pumpkin spice everything—this year was no exception. The moment the temperature dropped a mere three degrees, everyone was wearing that trendy burnt-orange color and planning Harry Potter marathons, eager to embrace the season. With September comes a new aesthetic for almost every aspect of our lives, one that we seamlessly integrate into our culture. In some ways, it seems that the American autumn is an extended holiday in itself.
To be clear, I’m not criticizing any of this—frankly, when it comes to fall, I’m as basic as they come. I’m always down for any autumnal activity (the more Pinterest-worthy the better), and mentally, I’m all but frolicking in a pumpkin patch right now. I think it’s because this time of year has always felt like contentment to me. It’s a season of coziness and certainty and gentle excitement for what’s to come. But my favorite part, the part that many overlook, is the music.
You’re probably thinking one of two things right now: Fall music? That’s a thing? or I know exactly what you mean. My “Fall Vibes” playlist has been on repeat since July. My fellow fall fanatics will understand immediately, but for the uninitiated, I’ll elaborate.
Think of your favorite Christmas song, the one that makes you feel like cozying up by the fire even if you listen to it in the heat of summer. For me, there are songs that feel like fall in that same way, but I don’t mean “Ghostbusters” or “Monster Mash.” Fall music is about the season as a whole and the emotions associated with it rather than a specific holiday.
When classifying a song as a “fall song,” those worthy to appear on my nine-hour long “Pumpkin Spice Playlist,” I consider three things: lyrics, tempo and overall vibes. The lyrics should be slightly autumn-esque (though they don’t have to be explicitly about fall), and the tempo should generally be on the slower side. That last one I mentioned, however, holds the most weight. It can override the first two if the intangibles are strong enough.
Take Taylor Swift’s “State of Grace” for example. The lyrics aren’t about fall, and the song is pretty upbeat, not unlike a lot of summer pop tracks. And yet the autumn undertone, though nuanced and subtle, is evident. It’s the song’s themes of possibility and excitement for change that remind me of fall.
Recently, I found myself feeling overwhelmed and restless, deep in a procrastination pit with little motivation to pull myself out. I decided to take a walk around campus to clear my head. I wanted to listen to something meaningful, to remind myself of the purpose in my work. So, as I walked, I shuffled through my aforementioned fall playlist. Almost immediately I began to feel better—more hopeful, more motivated, more appreciative of the present moment. It got me thinking—why do we seek out specific songs in specific instances of emotion? What is it that we’re chasing?
Surely, we’re chasing a feeling. Music has the power to transport us anywhere we want to go, much like other art forms, giving us vicarious experiences that may bleed into our own. Especially with seasonal music, we associate it with something else, a particular moment or memory to which we hope to return.
That’s why I made the “Pumpkin Spice Playlist” in the first place—it may have a horribly cheesy name, but it’s reminiscent of everything I love about this season. It feels like football games and hayrides and lighting candles on a chilly evening. It’s warmth and peace, a sort of quiet joy.
So admittedly, yes, I’ve done a lot of driving around listening to Bon Iver like I’m in a coming-of-age film this fall. I’ve found, though, that it’s important to slow down and reflect every now and then, especially in times like these. This well-loved season looks starkly different than it did in years past, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still things to celebrate.
